Dakar, Nov 20 (APS) – The review of the activities of the National Office for the Fight against Fraud and Corruption highlights a significant increase in the number of files opened, which almost doubled between 2023 and 2024, going from 42 to 88 affairs, said Tuesday in Dakar, police commander Omar Sène, head of the OFNAC Investigations Bureau.
“The number of open files has almost doubled in 2024, from 42 in 2023 to 88 files currently, with a projection that could reach 100 by the end of the year. This development is supported by projects already ready, but awaiting approval,” he said.
Commander Sène moderated a panel on the last day of a training workshop organized by Amnesty International Senegal, in collaboration with OFNAC and Senegalese civil society.
The number of files opened by OFNAC is “constantly increasing, despite the challenges linked to the COVID-19 pandemic”, he insisted, adding that summons have also experienced “a sharp increase, from 102 in 2023 to 252 in 2024, a trend which should continue depending on current projects and resolutions”.
Regarding requests for assistance, the number increased from 127 in 2023 to 181 in 2024, with additional requests expected in the days to come, reported the head of the OFNAC Investigations Office.
He emphasizes that the activity reports for previous years also show “constant dynamism”, while current projects “have evolved from 76 in 2020 to 98 in 2023”.
Commander Sène specifies, however, that the number of agreements finalized and transmitted to the president of the competent body has remained stable, with 12 agreements finalized in 2023, and a forecast increase for 2024.
He noted that the impact of COVID-19, “particularly in 2020 and 2021, slowed down certain procedures, affecting the ability of the assembly of members to meet, which led to a classification without further action for several files”.
However, OFNAC continues its work to fight corruption “with increased momentum”, he said, assuring that “the figures for 2024 should continue to evolve positively”.
AN/BK
